Riding an Icelandic horse is not only tremendous fun, it’s also a great way to experience the natural beauty of Iceland; snow topped mountains, the largest glacier in Europe, volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and striking lunar landscapes.

The Icelandic horse is a pure-bred descendant of those brought to Iceland by the Vikings over a thousand years ago. Horses remain an important part of Icelandic culture; they are used on remote farms to round up livestock and are still the best means of getting around in many parts of the island. Although small, the Icelandic is a powerful horse and has no difficulty carrying someone weighing 90kgs.

What makes this horse special is its fifth gait, the tölt, which is comparable to a running walk. Most riders can master it fairly quickly; it's fast, comfortable and enables the horse to cover great distances.

The Highland Adventure Deluxe trail offers you a real piece of Iceland. Each day you will change horses once or twice a day and as you ride, the herd of up to fifty loose horses travels with you. In the evenings you sit down to fresh Icelandic fayre from the finest local ingredients. You spend five nights in the comfortable cottages at Hestasport (see Home at Hestasport) and two nights in a mountain cabin on the trail, with made up beds, hot water and showers! This is a chance to experience all that Iceland has to offer, with a touch of comfort!

Much of the riding is at a tölt which can be fast so you need to be a confident rider able to adapt to different riding styles. General fitness is as important as riding experience due to the long hours in the saddle.

Highland Adventure Deluxe

Highland Adventure Deluxe

Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.

Sunday

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the north of Iceland. On the way you stop at Þingvellir, Iceland’s first National Park. This important site is where the parliament of Iceland was founded, you can also see huge gaps of the continental divide and perhaps drop a coin for luck into the clear blue water of the rift Silfra. From here you drive through green farmlands to the hot spring area at Geysir, and then on to the glorious Gullfoss waterfall.

Continue your journey north to Varmahlíð, travelling over the highlands following the ancient Kjölur route between the glaciers. Settle into your cottage and after dinner perhaps enjoy a dip in the hot pool to relax after your journey. Overnight at the Hestasport cottages.

Monday

This morning’s ride is a great introduction to the Icelandic Horse. For those who have never ridden an Icelandic Horse before, your guides will instruct you in riding the different gaits during a two to three hour ride.

After lunch you return to the stables to learn more about the Icelandic Horse both in theory and on horseback. After an educational afternoon time for a dip in the hot tub before dinner. Overnight at the Hestasport cottages.

Tuesday

Today you head out on the trail to the highlands, with a herd of free running horses. Your ride today ends today at Gilhagi Farm, where the horses will stay for the night. You return to the Hestasport cottages, where a warm dinner awaits you. Overnight at the Hestasport cottages.

Wednesday

This morning, you need to pack your bags for the next two days (travelling clothes and extra kit can be left at the cottages). The horses wait for you at Gilhagi Farm, and soon you are on the trail again through the highlands to the mountain hut Galtará, located not far from the lake Blöndulón.

You will stay in this mountain cabin for the next two nights, with twin rooms, hot water and showers.

Thursday

Fortified by a hearty breakfast, you set out on a round trip in the highlands, passing stone cairns from the time of when travellers used them as markers when travelling to the yearly parliament session at Þingvellir. Pleasant tölt paths alternate with more difficult terrain and the views are uninterrupted.

You return to the cabin for lunch. Later this afternoon you have the opportunity to try the flying pace, as well as mastering the tolt in a fun riding afternoon.

Friday

Time to pack up your bags again as you leave Galtará. On the ride back you follow wide riding trails on which you can tolt endlessly.

Descending into Svartárdalur valley, you will see the coral Stafnsrétt where every year the sheep are gathered. This is your destination for today and you leave the horses here for the night and drive back to the cottages. Overnight at the Hestasport cottages.

Saturday

Saddle the horses for a last time for the ride home. Nice tolting trails alternate with more challenging terrain and as you cross the mountain pass Kiðaskarð, perhaps pause and look back over the wide highlands and the majestic glaciers.

You cross several small streams and travel on excellent riding trails until you reach Vindheimamelar. It is finally time to say goodbye to your horses, as they are released into the meadows.

You return to the cottages for a final dip in the hot tub after a long day riding, and a farewell dinner.

Sunday

After a final farewell to your guides, you are transferred to Akureyri for an internal flight to Reykjavik (domestic airport).